Encouraging, exhorting, equippingChristian Familiesin Jesus Christ

A Test of a Heart

A good test of whom I love more, myself or the Lord, is where would I rather err? Is pleasing the Lord or myself more important to me?

Would I choose to bypass something enjoyable if I’m unsure whether the Lord would be pleased with my doing it, or would I choose instead to go ahead and do it even though He may be displeased? (After all, He is a forgiving God, right?)

Say there is an activity I’m confident is not sinful, but I’m not sure whether the Lord would be pleased if I spent my time on it. (I’ve found that most times if I’m not sure, likely it is not something the Lord is pleased with.) Where would I err, on my own pleasure or on pleasing the Lord? Would I choose to forgo something I would like to do? Or would I go ahead and do it, justifying it in my mind as I know other Christians do it, so I can, too.

A corollary to this is the mindset that I’d rather ask forgiveness than seek to please.

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:23)